Cutting head



1965 c. w. EPPERLEY 3,219,073

CUTTING HEAD Original Filed Nov. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.C/ifl W 'P/E/PZEY mm w Nov. 23, 1965 c. w. EPPERLEY 3,219,073

CUTTING HEAD Original Filed Nov. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig-[iINVENTOR.

0984 w. 'PPE/HEY Bym 3,219,073 CUTTING HEAD Carl W. Epperley, Dayton,Ohio, assignor to The East Dayton Tool & Die Company, Dayton, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Continuation of application Ser. No. 151,068, Nov.8, 1961. This application Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 438,831 6 Claims. (Cl.142--31) This application is a continuation of application Serial No.151,068, filed November 8, 1961, for Cutting Head.

This invention relates to cutting heads which are particularlyadvantageous in application to dowel machines and will be so described.It is to be understood, however, that neither the form of itsembodiments nor its application is intended to be so limited thereby.

The cutting head in a conventional dowel machine revolves around thework piece or stock. The stock is fed to and through the revolving headwhich mounts a cutter set tangent to the top center of the turneddiameter. This produces a skiving cut. With this type of cutting actiona clearance angle cannot be employed. The results are a rapid dulling ofthe cutter, producing a condition where the cutter is forced away fromthe stock. As this occurs, accuracy is lost and the turned diameter willinherently increase. A further consequence is that the dulled cutterwill produce a drag on the stock, compounding the force necessary toboth feed the stock and revolve the cutter. Due to the above, dowelmachines are plagued with a large percentage of down time which isnormally used to adjust and replace cutters. As a matter of fact, thenature of the conventional cutting heads is such that their cutters aredifficult to readily position with any degree of precision. Further, thefeed of stock, per se, has produced vibration problems in theconventional machine which affects its accuracy. Thus, the efiiciencyand precision characteristics of the prior art dowel machine leaves muchto be desired.

The present invention not only provides improvements in cutting heads,per se, but also enables a solution of the problems above enumeratedwith reference to dowel machines. Among other advantageous features, itprovides a cutting head employing a plurality of cutters capable ofsimultaneously providing a plurality of equidistantly spaced radial cutson stock fed therebetween, in eifect producing a helical shearing of thestock rather than a skiving cut and the problems it entails. Moreover,means are provided for readily and finely adjusting the cutters toeffect an optimum concentricity thereof with respect to the stock beingworked. Invention embodiments also include improved tool holdersincorporating means for defining the turned diameter of stock capable ofinhibiting stock vibration as it is Worked. The tool holders are somounted as to be capable of infinite adjustment within the capacity ofthe head to which they are applied.

A prime feature of the invention is a novel cutter element whichproduces a staged cutting action. This cutter and its holder are sodesigned to facilitate ready adjustment or replacement without loss ofprecision or effectiveness.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a cutting head which iseconomical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use,adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cutting headparticularly applicable to dowel machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cutting head forshaping dowel type stock incorporating means for inhibiting vibration ofthe stock while it is being worked.

United States Patent "Ice 3,219,073 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a cutter head including a novellymounted tool holder capable of infinite adjustment within its definedlimits.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved cuttinghead mounting a plurality of cutters arranged to simultaneously apply aseries of equidistantly spaced substantially radial cuts to stock passedtherebetween to thereby produce a precision shearing of the stock.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cutterelement particularly advantageous in application to dowel machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cutter andholder therefor so related as to facilitate adjustment and replacementof the cutter with no loss of the established position of the cutter.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cutting headincorporating means for readily establishing a plurality of cuttersthereon to define a perfect concentricity thereof about a central axistherebetween.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved meansenabling an effective precision operation on dowel material with downtime held to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cutting headpossessing the advantageous structural features, the inherentmeritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations there of, and the mode of operation as hereinafterdescribed or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or theirequivalents.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the operating or entrance face of a cuttinghead in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mounting plate embodied in the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 (sheet one) is a plan view of the top of the tool holder employedin the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view of the exit side of the tool holder showing the novelassociation of a guide or wear plate therewith;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an improved cutter as provided by theinvention; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of the cutter of FIG. 6.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

The invention can be best described with particular refference to theaccompanying drawings wherein a cutting head is shown which isparticularly applicable to a dowel machine. The head 1 includescentrally apertured base plate 2 having a generally tubularconfiguration and including an external flange 3 to one end. The portionof the plate 2 which projects forwardly of the flange 3 provides atubular hub 4 serving as a bearing for a ring 5. The ring 5 iscoextensive with the flange 3 and includes a pair of identicaldiametrically opposite, arcuate slots 6. A pair of studs 7 respectivelyproject through the slots 6 to threadedly engage in the flange 3 atpositions apart. The studs 7 serve as limit means providing for relativecircular adjustment of the ring 5 about the hub 4 to the extent definedby the limits of the slots 6. A washer 8 and nut 9 is provided abouteach stud 7 at the outer face of the ring 5 by means of which the ringmay be clamped in a selected position of adjustment with reference tothe flange 3. The ring 5 also has four equidistantly spaced identicalslots 10 therein which are of a straight line character. The slots 10are identically angled to extend from adjacent the outer periphery ofring 5 to one end to adjacent the inner periphery thereof to theiropposite end.

The flange 3 is uniformly recessed at diametrically opposite portions 11of its outer periphery. The innermost surfaces of the recesses sodefined are formed to provide arcuate racks 12 which are in circularalignment. Apertures 13 in the ring 5, positioned 180 apart, arearranged to respectively overlie one of the recesses 11. A crank pin 14mounting a pinion 14' is insertable in a recess 11 to extend through anaperture 13 and provide intermeshing engagement of the pinion with anadjacent rack 12. On rotation of the pins 14 the ring can thereby berotated about the hub 4, provided the nuts 9 are loosened to free thering.

In a dowel machine, the plate 2 is adapted to be fixed by bolts 17 overone end of a revolvable tubular spindle (not shown), coaxial therewithto dispose its flanged end in abutment with the spindle. The face F ofthe hub 4, which is relatively projected extends beyond the ring 5 andhas four identical grooves 15 therein. The grooves 15 are equidistantlyspaced, adjacent grooves being at right angles to each other. Theoutermost ends of the grooves 15 open at the outer periphery of the hubwhile a portion of their innermost ends open at its inner periphery.Each of the grooves have a depth equal to the projection of hub 4 beyondring 5 and their sides, which extend from the outer to the innerperiphery of the hub, are parallel.

A generally rectangular tool holder 16 seats in each groove 15. Theholders project equally from and perpendicular to the face F. Forpurposes of convenience, the tool holders will be described withreference to their orientation as shown in FIG. 1, contemplating acounterclockwise revolution thereof with the plate 2. Specifically, thetool holder referred to for purposes of illustration will be that shownin a horizontal position and to the right hand of the cutting head asillustrated in FIG. 1.

An elongated aperture 18 centrally of each tool holder 16 and orientedon its longitudinal axis serves to receive a stud 19 which is threadedlyengaged in the base. A Washer 20 and nut 21 on the projected extremityof each stud 19 releasably confines the respective tool holderassociated therewith in its groove 15. The studs 19 thereby adapt theholders 16 for adjustment in the grooves 15 to the extent of the slotsor apertures 18.

As mounted, each tool holder 16 has an aperture 22 therein at its outerend which is positioned beyond and adjacent the outer periphery of hub4. This aperture 22 contains an eccentric bushing 23 having a slottedhead at the outermost surface of the tool holder. A pin 24 frictionallycontained in the inner end of the bushing 23 projects from the innermostface of the tool holder into a slot 10 in the ring 5. The portion of thepin 24 Within the slot has flats to opposite sides whereby it isimmediately confined for straight line movement in the slot in a mannerto be described.

At the innermost side and to the inner end of each holder 16, at itsupper edge, is a rectangular recess 25. The recess 25 nests a bar whichsubstantially fills the recess to provide a guide or bar 26. An aperture27 through each tool holder parallel to and adjacent its aper- "116 22accommodates eccentric bushing 28 having a slotted head at the outermostface of the tool holder. A pin 29, fr-ictionally engaged within bushing28, projects from the inner end thereof and has a flatted portion whichprojects through a slot in one end of the bar 26. The other end of bar26 extends to the inner extremity of the associated holder 16 adjacentthe central axis of the plate 2. At their ends adjacent the centralaxis, the bars 26 have planar wear surfaces which are shaped andoriented to form a square throat, the center of which corresponds tosaid central axis. Turning of the eccentric bushing elements 28 in therespective tool holders about the pins 29 will provide a relative axialadjustment of the bars 26 relative the holders 16.

Set screws are associated with each of the eccentric bushings for fixingthem in selected positions of adjustment.

Viewing FIG. 1 of the drawings, the holder 16 has a groove 31 directedinwardly of its end most adjacent the central axis of plate 2 and angleddownwardly from its uppermost surface to accommodate a cutter 32. Theone side of the groove 31 opens to and terminates at the recess nestingbar 26. Looking down from the top, the base of the groove 31 is angledobtusely with reference to the end defined by the bar 26 as is the baseof the cutter 32. The holder 16 also has a slot 33 parallel to itsuppermost surface 34 which opens into the uppermost surface 35 of thegroove 31. Screws 36 engaged in the body of the holder 16 bridge slot 33and may be conventionally adjusted to clamp the cutter 32 in a mannerbelieved obvious.

As may be observed from the drawings, the cutting edges of therespective cutters 32 are identical, their entrance portions 37 beingsharply angled, their intermediate portions 38 being less sharply angledand their exit portions 39 being on a angle. The portions 39 havecutting edges co-planar with the adjacent surfaces 30 of bars 26 formingthe rectangular throat referred to previously, which surfaces are atright angles to the adjacent extremities of the cutter bodies.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it may be seen that the respectivecutters 32 are oriented to effect substantially radial cuts mutuallyreferenced to stock which may be passed therebetween. Each tool holder16 to its innermost end adjacent the central axis of the cutting headhas end faces which are sloped away with reference to the undersurfaceof the cutter element mounted thereto so that on relative rotation ofthe cutting head as stock is passed between the cutter elements shavingsinduced by a preceding cutter element will have sufficient clearancereferenced to a succeeding cutter to avoid malfunction or undue loadresulting therefrom. In addition, it is to be noted that each cutterelement 32 has a surface 40 sloped from its cutting edge to provide apositive clearance angle, enabling an effective application of thecutter.

Thus, a cutting head in accordance with the invention has beendescribed. Its use and application to a dowel machine is as follows: Toset up a dowel machine, to handle a particular type stock to effect aparticular turned diameter, the plate 2, as mentioned previously, isfirst mounted by bolts 17 to form an axial extension on one end of aremovable spindle. Then, on loosening of the nuts 9 and insuring freedomof the tool holders 16 by proper positioning of the nuts 21, the ring 5can be rotated on the hub 4 within the limits of the slots 6 byoperation of pinions 14', to cause its portions defining slots 10 toconjointly set on the pins 24 depending from the bushings 23. Thisinfluences a neutral and simultaneous adjustment of the tool holders 16to establish a predetermined positioning thereof in grooves 15referenced to the central diameter of the plate 2. This positions theend surfaces 30 of the guide or bar 26 to mutually form a generallyrectangular throat the dimensions of which are intended to define theturned diameter to which stock is to be worked. It is to be noted thatwith ring 5 clamped in position, independent precision adjustment of anyone of the holders 16 in its groove 15 may be effected by rotation ofits eccentric bushing 23. This provides for fine adjustment to a degreedetermined by the dimension of the bushing and the degree of rotationthereof and effects a selective movement of the holder inwardly oroutwardly on the plate 2. In this manner the cutting edges of thecutters 32 may be precisely oriented to provide a perfect concentricitythereof about the central axis of the plate. In the event that someadjustment of the wear or guide plates 26 may be required, to effect aprecision positioning thereof, the eccentric bushings 28 may be rotatedon their pins 29 to thereby project or retract the guide plates relativethe holders 16 in a manner believed obvious. It.

thus becomes obvious that the surfaces 30 of the plates 26 which aremutually adjacent can be positioned to define any turned diameterdesired which is within the dimension-al capacity of the cutting headprovided. Similarly, the holders 16 may be positioned in their grooves 5and finely adjusted to establish the cutting edges of the cutters 32relatively concentric to the central axis of the plate 2.

In use of the cutting head, the spindle to which the head is attached isrevolved to thereby revolve the head. As seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings,a counter-clockwise rotation of the head may be induced at which pointstock to be worked is fed longitudinally of the cutting edges of theblades 32 through the central aperture in the plate 2. As the stockmoves into the throat defined by the cutters the expanded portionthereof defined by the edge portions 37 provide four simultaneoussubstantially radial cuts which are deepened as the stock moves inwardlyalong the edge portions 37 and pass the edge portions 38 and 39 insuccession. This, in effect, provides a staged cutting action and acontinuous helical shearing of the stock to the turned diameter desired.As the stock leaves the edges 39 which determine the final turneddiameter, it is confined precisely within the square throat establishedby the surfaces 30 on the guide plates 26. In this manner the stock isconfined immediately of the blade 32 and stabilized thereby to preventvibrational influence which would affect the Working of the stock.

The nature of the cutting head, the holders and the blades as well asthe improved mounting thereof is such to insure a precision working ofdowel material. Moreover, shape of the cutters 32 and the relationthereof to the holders 16 as provided by the invention results in thecutters having an extended operating life. In addition, the particularshape of the base of the cutter and 1118 mating relation to the slopedbase of the groove in which it seats facilitates its removal, correctionand replacement without loss of the precision positioning establishedtherefor. For example, on removal of a blade and reducing its depth atits cutting edge to a degree equal to a reduction at its exit andreplacing the blade so its modified exit end is at the end of the groove31 adjacent the associated bar 26, it will assume the same cuttingorientation as originally provided.

As above described, the invention provides a cutting head of an improvedcharacter having tool holders novelly mounted thereon including featuresenabling precision adjustment thereof. Efficiency and effectiveness ofthe machines to which the cutting head is applied is substantiallyincreased and maintenance is minimized thereby. The staged cuttingaction provided by the blade elements enables a better product atminimum cost.

While the invention has been set forth herein with reference to dowelmachines, it should be obvious that the features of the invention haveother application and may assume other form. Such is believed within thescope of the present invention.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown,

but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one ofseveral modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention istherefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within thelegitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a tool for the peripheral reduction of axially fed doweling orlike stock, said tool having a head; a blade holder mounted to saidhead, a blade mounted to said holder and having an elongated cuttingedge differentially sloped from end to end thereof and disposedlongitudinally of said head, the head and a work piece advancingrelatively to one another with said cutting edge disposed longitudinallyof the work in a plane radial to the axis thereof, one end of said edgebeing a trailing end with respect to the order of engagement of saidedge with the work, and means on said holder extending transverselyacross said trailing end of said cutting edge, said means presenting awork engaging bearing surface in the plane of the trailing end of saidedge.

2. A tool according to claim 1, characterized by a plurality of saidblade holders and mounted blades, spaced apart angularly on said head tolocate the cutting edges in respectively different planes radial to thelongitudinal work axis, the said last named means of said severalholders cooperating to form an exit throat defining the turned diameterof the work.

3. In a tool for the peripheral reduction of axially fed doweling orlike stock, said tool having a head; a blade holder mounted to saidhead, a blade mounted to said holder and having a differentially slopedcutting edge of longitudinal extent in a plane substantially radial tosaid head, and means on said holder defining a work engaging bearingsurface extending transversely across the trailing end of said cuttingedge at one end thereof and co-pl'anar therewith at said trailing end.

4. A tool according to claim 3, characterized in that an eccentricbushing unit mounts said last named means, rotation of said bushing unitproviding for the adjustment of said last named means for preciseagreement of its said work engaging surface with the plane of said oneend of said cutting edge.

5. A tool for the peripheral reduction of axially fed doweling or likestock, said tool including a head having a central aperture, a pluralityof blade holders attached to one face of said head, said holders beingperipherally spaced about said aperture, each of said holders havingfixed thereto a projected blade, said blades each having an elongatedcutting edge differentially sloped from end to end and disposed in anaxial sense longitudinally of said head, one end of each of said edgesbeing a trailing end with respect to the order of engagement of saidedge with a work piece, said blade edge-s disposing longitudinally ofdoweling axially fed through the central aperture of said head andrespectively positioning in planes generally radial to the longitudinalaxis of the doweling whereby to produce substantially simultaneous cutsgenerally radial to the doweling to achieve thereby a coextensivelyequivalent cut of said doweling, with guide means connected'to saidholders at the exit ends of the cutting edges of said blades to producea vibration free movement of said stock beyond said head and saidblades.

6. A tool as set forth in claim 5, characterized by said guide meansbeing connected by means of eccentrically adjustable pivot-s to providefor axial adjustment thereof on said blade holders.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR. Primary Examiner.

1. IN A TOOL FORT THE PERIPHERAL REDUCTION OF AXIALLY FED DOWELING ORLIKE STOCK, SAID TOOL HAVING A HEAD; A BLADE HOLDER MOUNTED TO SAIDHEAD, A BLADE MOUNTED TO SAID HOLDER AND HAVING AN ELONGATED CUTTINGEDGE DIFFERENTIALLY SLOPED FROM END TO END THEREOF AND DISPOSEDLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID HEAD, THE HEAD AND A WORK PIECE ADVANCINGRELATIVELY TO ONE ANOTHER WITH SAID CUTTING EDGE DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLYOF THE WORK IN A PLANE RADIAL TO THE AXIS THEREOF, ONE END OF SAID EDGEBEING A TRAILING END WITH RESPECT TO THE ORDER OF ENGAGEMENT OF SAIDEDGE WITH THE WORK, AND MEANS ON SAID HOLDER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELYACROSS SAID TRAILING END OF SAID CUTTING EDGE, SAID MEANS PRESENTING AWORK ENGAGING BEARING SURFACE IN THE PLANE OR THE TRAILING END OF SAIDEDGE.